With the gradual development of alternative energy, our energy needs still rely heavily on fossil fuel and nuclear based methods. The spent fuel from nuclear power generation in particular contains mixtures of lanthanides (Ln) and actinides (An) which complicate storage and processing. Currently, the separation of these heavy metals are done by using liquid-liquid extraction methods that employ carbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (CMPO) derived ligands. While these ligands are known to extract An ions, more efficient methods are needed to increase selectivity of extraction and potentially separate the lanthanides. We are studying extraction efficiencies of the f-elements with tripodal ligands based on the classic CMPO chelating group. In the attempt to make nuclear energy viable as a legitimate energy source, these ligands are designed to selectively and strongly bind Ln and An ions to process existing and future nuclear waste. Of these ligands, some have shown selectivity for terbium(III) over the remaining Ln ions. In addition to extraction efficiencies, we are studying luminescence properties of these ligands by fluorescence spectroscopy. These studies provide insight into the general solution chemistry and coordination numbers of our novel complexes.

Luminescence and extraction properties of novel tripodal CMPO ligands

249th National Meeting (2015)

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